House dust mite allergens (Dermatophagoides spp.) (HDM)

House dust mites (HDM), specifically species such as Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, are microscopic arachnids that serve as primary sources of potent indoor allergens. These mites produce a variety of proteins, such as the cysteine protease Der p 1 and the lipid-binding protein Der p 2, which are found in their fecal pellets and are highly immunogenic to humans. Inhalation of these allergens triggers Type I hypersensitivity reactions in sensitized individuals, leading to chronic inflammatory conditions like allergic rhinitis and asthma. Because 'House dust mites' refers to a complex mixture of organisms and proteins rather than a single molecular entity, it is considered a target source for immunotherapy rather than a discrete therapeutic receptor or enzyme. Therapeutic interventions, such as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), utilize standardized HDM extracts to desensitize the immune system, shifting the patient's immune response from a Th2-skewed allergic profile toward a state of immunological tolerance characterized by regulatory T-cell expansion and the production of protective IgG4 antibodies.

Other names

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinusDermatophagoides farinaeDust mitesHDM allergensDer p 1Der p 2Der f 1Der f 2